Diplomacy or Driving a Hard Bargain? Lessons from the Negotiation that Led to the Iran Nuclear Deal

By: Gilead Sher and Emily B. Landau

President Trump’s critical stance on the Iran nuclear deal has invited pundits and analysts to take a second look at the P5+1 negotiation process that led to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In fact, the JCPOA has been the topic of heated debate since its inception, among strong supporters and determined critics alike. But a closer look at the negotiations process itself - rather than an examination solely of the outcome - provides insights and lessons that could affect policy planning and future contacts with both Iran and North Korea.